Chiang Mai offers a distinct culture that draws on its close proximity to Burma. The Lanna Thai capital from the 13th to the 18th centuries, Chiang Mai is divided into an inner city, surrounded by a moat and remnants of an ancient wall, and an outer city, which sprawls in all directions. It has grown significantly in recent years, primarily due to tourism, and is struggling with the results of that growth, which has brought with it traffic jams, cultural preservation, and environmental concerns.

But the city still retains the feel of a large village, with abundant street craft markets and shops, a vibrant riverboat culture, and many active temples, or wats, filled with monks eager to meet visitors. As a more livable and manageable place to explore than the chaotic Bangkok to the south, Chiang Mai gives Lexia students the chance to independently engage the cultural complexities of Thailand.